Since on a memorable night for Spanish football Andres Iniesta made the Spanish team world champion at Soccer City in Johannesburg, on July 11, 2010, 4,268 days have passed, a time in which in each call for Spain there was at least one representative of the ‘golden generation’ .
the break that Luis Enrique Martinez has decided to give a player who is still the helm of the Spanish team, Sergio Busquetshas caused that for the first time in eleven years and eight months there is no world champion in the call, the one offered for the first two friendlies of 2022 that the Red will play against Albania and Iceland.
Of the European champions in 2012, with the exhibition in the final in kyiv against Italy, only one representative remains. Is Jordi Albawho scored in that game that closed a cycle of Spanish domination in Europe and the world of four unparalleled years.
Time flies and is felt more in the short careers of soccer players. Already retired from the 23 world champions legends like Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández, Fernando Torres or David Villa. They also left football after stages of success Víctor Valdés, Carlos Marchena, Joan Capdevila, Álvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.
THIRTEEN WORLD CHAMPIONS REMAIN ACTIVE
Beside Busquetsthe only one that remains a fixture in the current coach’s plans, up to twelve world champions could be selected, although the options of those who, like Andres IniestaThey emigrated to the minor leagues, they were reduced since they decided to turn their career around in the final stretch. It is the case of Javi martinez.
Some announced their goodbye to the selection as David Silva and Gerard Pique, who is now flirting with a possible return for the World Cup in Qatar. Another center-back, Raúl Albiol, has counted until a few months ago, and further away is the last cap of Jesus Navas or Sergio Ramos. Even more so that of Pepe Reina, Cesc Fábregas, Juan Mata, Pedro Rodríguez or Fernando Llorente.
AN UNEXPECTED HIT BY DE GEA
After giving up the starting job to Unai Simón and assuming the role of second goalkeeper, an unexpected moment arrives for David de Gea. Off the list, discarded by Luis Enrique Martinez despite his good performances with Manchester United. After 45 caps and pick up the baton from Casillas. He made his senior debut in June 2014, against El Salvador, but he has been in goal since 2016.
The coach had already shown that there would be no room for debate and that his goalkeeper is Unai Simon. The last game played by De Gea c.With the Spanish team it was in October 2020. A defeat against Ukraine. The change in goal is a fact and there are no longer any of the goalkeepers who were at the arrival of Luis Enrique. They were first Kepa and Paul Torres. Now it is De Gea who gives way to a great surprise, David RayaBrentford goalkeeper.
English football continues to rule in goal, along with Robert Sanchez D.he goalkeepers have grown up away from Spanish football. There is no room for Alex Remiro, Fernando Pacheco, Aitor Fernández or Edgar Badía.
THE DESIRED RETURN OF PEDRI
He took the helm of Spain in a European Championship full of brilliance, aiming due to his conditions to become Iniesta’s heir and since then, on July 6, 2021, injuries never let him return. That semi-final tie against Italy, with Wembley penalties, was the last of the ten games played by Pedri with La Roja.
He returns in a sweet moment, buried the injuries resulting from an inhuman season. Undisputed starter in his first year at Barcelona and when he landed in the senior team, skipping several steps, playing in the European Championship and the Olympic Games. Luis Enrique recovers a key player in his schemes while he eagerly awaits the return of Ansu Fati.
Beside Pedri the top scorer of the ‘Luis Enrique era’ returns, a Fernando Torres who attends his first call as a Barcelona player, the most represented team on the list with five players, which would be six with Busquets and seven if Adama Traore he earns his return. The backbone of the selection.